West Midlands transport links get £8.3m boost

Plans for a new bridge in Solihull to improve links in the West Midlands have got the go-ahead for £8.3 million of funding.

The Department for Transport has agreed to fund work on the A45 South Bridge, which will replace the existing 150 year-old structure that carries the westbound carriageway of the A45 over the West Coast Main Line. The route currently carries 50,000 vehicles a day.

The department will provide up to £8.3 million towards the full project cost of £12 million. The funding will help create an extra westbound lane and an improved access slip road to Birmingham International Airport. A temporary bridge will be created during the work, to allow the route to remain.

Announcing the funding, transport minister Baroness Kramer said: “The A45 serves important sites, including Birmingham International Airport, the NEC and employers such as Jaguar Land Rover. This new bridge will reduce congestion and improve safety, and include new pedestrian and cyclist facilities.”